Many working, pregnant women face the ‘how long can continue to work for?’ question at some stage during their pregnancy and the answer is, probably until labor starts providing you are having a healthy pregnancy and your job doesn’t present risk or strain.
Consider your needs and decide how long you wish to work. Some women like to work as long as they can so that they don’t waste any maternity leave and can use more of it after their baby is born. Others get tired or uncomfortable and it becomes difficult for them to work, especially if they have a strenuous or stressful job or commute. Talk to your doctor about your situation. While you are working, you want to maintain your health and ensure that your baby has a healthy environment in which to grow and develop. Here are some tips:
Some foods and smells can trigger nausea during pregnancy. The sweet roll you used to love for your morning snack may now cause your stomach to churn. Recognize these changes and stay clear of these foods and smells so you don’t make your nausea worse. Keep crackers in your desk at work and use them to stave off nausea - a stomach that is very empty or very full will cause more problems.
Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. Dehydration will make your morning sickness worse. Get plenty of sleep and allow yourself more time to get ready for work in the morning. Fatigue and stress will also increase nausea. You might feel tired much of the time, especially during the first and third trimesters and even more so after a long day at work. Take regular breaks, take a short walk (outside if you can) and move around. If your job is physical, try to take more rest periods. Rest periods will also help you concentrate. You may want to close your office door, put your feet up and close your eyes for a few minutes during lunch or on a break.
In early and very late pregnancy you may be tired by afternoon. In this case, change your work schedule if you can so that you can get the higher-energy tasks out of the way in the morning while you are feeling fresh. If you have a demanding job, try to cut back on commitments outside work and get more rest after work so that you will be prepared for the work day. Regular exercise will help your energy level as well. If you were exercising before pregnancy, continue to do so with guidance from your doctor. If you want to start exercising during pregnancy talk to your doctor about what you can do to stay active.
All help should be gratefully accepted whether in the workplace or at home. You can always return the favor after you and your baby are on a regular schedule and you are feeling like your old self again. Get others to do the daily, physical tasks like housework and shopping and, if you can afford it, hire someone to do these jobs. That way, you can get the extra rest you’ll need to do your job every day. Don’t fear the bed and sleep when you need to. You don’t have to stay up until midnight to get that extra work done, just because you always did before. Your baby and your overburdened body need all the sleep they can get.
Move around frequently to ease the stress on your muscles and back. You may find that standing, lifting and even sitting for long periods of time will make you tired or sore now, so listen to your body. Many companies supply an ergonomic chair for office workers if you have a note from your doctor. Chairs with adjustable arms and height, and a firm back can help. You can also bring in a small pillow to support your lower back while you sit. Put your feet up on a box, wastebasket or stool to take the weight off your lower back and reduce foot and leg swelling. Plan for those extra trips to the bathroom. Don’t try to hold it!
A stressful job may necessitate time off. Stress can be much harder on a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Discuss options for alleviating stress with your boss and coworkers. Talk to your doctor so she knows what you are up against. She may have suggestions and advice. Learn relaxation exercises, or take a Yoga class for pregnant women. Physical and mental relaxation are achieved via these methods and will help you cope much better with the stresses of work. Be sure you talk to your doctor about the demands of your particular job. The risk of pregnancy complications are higher in some jobs than others.
Jobs that should be carefully evaluated include: %u2022 The aforementioned lifting especially heavy lifting (strenuous work has been shown to increase the risk of premature birth. Also, the likelihood of pre-eclampsia or hypertension and low birth weight babies is increased). %u2022 Jobs with lots of standing or strenuous climbing or walking (prolonged standing at work is also associated with increased incidence of premature birth). %u2022 Jobs in toxic environments (hazardous chemicals, gas, dust, fumes, radiation or infectious diseases). %u2022 Environs with constant loud noise or where machines are very loud or have lots of vibration. %u2022 Jobs that require long or intense commutes. %u2022 Jobs with very long hours or frequent shift changes (shift work and increased levels of work related fatigue are also associated with premature birth). %u2022 Jobs in very cold or very warm environs. %u2022 Jobs that require a lot of flexibility or balance.
If you must continue to work throughout your pregnancy and your job is high-risk, talk to your employer about taking a temporary position elsewhere until after the baby is born. Talk to your doctor and/or your midwife about what you are feeling and change your plans if your pregnancyor health is being affected by work.
HealthyPregnancys.com provides you with everything you need to have a safe and healthy pregnancy. Drop by on: Pregnancy.
- Fiona Lohrenz